commander-in-chief
nounmasculine/ku.mɐ̃.dɐ̃.tɨ ˈʃɛ.fɨ/medium
co·man·dan·te-che·fe
Definition
The highest-ranking officer with supreme authority over a military force or organization.
The commander-in-chief reviewed the troops before the mission.
In many countries, the head of state serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Common collocations
commander-in-chief of the armed forcesappoint as commander-in-chiefsupreme commander-in-chief
Etymology
De 'comandante' (do italiano 'comandante', por sua vez do latim 'commandare') + 'chefe' (do francês 'chef').